SCENE VIII.
The PRINCESS, DON CARLOS.
The PRINCESS has thrown herself upon an ottoman, and plays.
CARLOS (rushes in; he recognizes the PRINCESS, and stands thunderstruck).
Gracious Heaven!
Where am I?
PRINCESS (lets her lute fall, and meeting him) What? Prince Carlos! yes, in truth.
CARLOS.
Where am I? Senseless error; I have missed The right apartment.
PRINCESS.
With what dexterous skill Carlos contrives to hit the very room Where ladies sit alone!
CARLOS.
Your pardon, princess!
I found--I found the antechamber open.
PRINCESS.
Can it be possible? I fastened it Myself; at least I thought so----
CARLOS.
Ay! you thought, You only thought so; rest a.s.sured you did not.
You meant to lock it, that I well believe: But most a.s.suredly it was not locked.
A lute"s sweet sounds attracted me, some hand Touched it with skill; say, was it not a lute?
[Looking round inquiringly.
Yes, there it lies, and Heaven can bear me witness I love the lute to madness. I became All ear, forgot myself in the sweet strain, And rushed into the chamber to behold The lovely eyes of the divine musician Who charmed me with the magic of her tones.
PRINCESS.
Innocent curiosity, no doubt!
But it was soon appeased, as I can prove.
[After a short silence, significantly.
I must respect the modesty that has, To spare a woman"s blushes, thus involved Itself in so much fiction.
CARLOS (with sincerity).
Nay, I feel I but augment my deep embarra.s.sment, In vain attempt to extricate myself.
Excuse me for a part I cannot play.
In this remote apartment, you perhaps Have sought a refuge from the world, to pour The inmost wishes of your secret heart Remote from man"s distracting eye. By me, Unhappy that I am, your heavenly dreams Are all disturbed, and the atonement now Must be my speedy absence.
[Going.
PRINCESS (surprised and confused, but immediately recovering herself).
Oh! that step Were cruel, prince, indeed!
CARLOS.
Princess, I feel What such a look in such a place imports: This virtuous embarra.s.sment has claims To which my manhood never can be deaf.
Woe to the wretch whose boldness takes new fire From the pure blush of maiden modesty!
I am a coward when a woman trembles.
PRINCESS.
Is"t possible?--such n.o.ble self-control In one so young, and he a monarch"s son!
Now, prince, indeed you shall remain with me, It is my own request, and you must stay.
Near such high virtue, every maiden fear Takes wing at once; but your appearance here Disturbed me in a favorite air, and now Your penalty shall be to hear me sing it.
CARLOS (sits down near the PRINCESS, not without reluctance).
A penalty delightful as the sin!
And sooth to say, the subject of the song Was so divine, again and yet again I"d gladly hear it.
PRINCESS What! you heard it all?
Nay, that was too bad, prince. It was, I think, A song of love.
CARLOS.
And of successful love, If I mistake not--dear delicious theme From those most beauteous lips--but scarce so true, Methinks, as beautiful.
PRINCESS.
What! not so true?
Then do you doubt the tale?
CARLOS.
I almost doubt That Carlos and the Princess Eboli, When they discourse on such a theme as love, May not quite understand each other"s hearts.
[The PRINCESS starts; he observes it, and continues with playful gallantry.
Who would believe those rosy-tinted cheeks Concealed a heart torn by the pangs of love.
Is it within the range of wayward chance That the fair Princess Eboli should sigh Unheard--unanswered? Love is only known By him who hopelessly persists in love.
PRINCESS (with all her former vivacity).
Hush! what a dreadful thought! this fate indeed Appears to follow you of all mankind, Especially to-day.
[Taking his hand with insinuating interest.
You are not happy, Dear prince--you"re sad! I know too well you suffer, And wherefore, prince? When with such loud appeal The world invites you to enjoy its bliss-- And nature on you pours her bounteous gifts, And spreads around you all life"s sweetest joys.
You, a great monarch"s son, and more--far more-- E"en in your cradle with such gifts endowed As far eclipsed the splendor of your rank.
You, who in those strict courts where women rule, And pa.s.s, without appeal, unerring sentence On manly worth and honor, even there Find partial judges. You, who with a look Can prove victorious, and whose very coldness Kindles aflame; and who, when warmed with pa.s.sion, Can make a paradise, and scatter round The bliss of heaven, the rapture of the G.o.ds.
The man whom nature has adorned with gifts To render thousands happy, gifts which she Bestows on few--that such a man as this Should know what misery is! Thou, gracious Heaven, That gavest him all those blessings, why deny Him eyes to see the conquests he has made?
CARLOS (who has been lost in absence of mind, suddenly recovers himself by the silence of the PRINCESS, and starts up).
Charming! inimitable! Princess, sing That pa.s.sage, pray, again.
PRINCESS (looking at him with astonishment).
Where, Carlos, were Your thoughts the while?
CARLOS (jumps up).
By heaven, you do remind me In proper time--I must away--and quickly.
PRINCESS (holding him back).
Whither away?